“Don’t be a know-it-all; be a learn-it-all.” – Unlocking the mental key to success
We have all fallen victim to the idea of “knowing it all”. Whether it’s the day-to-day interactions with our coworkers about solving a problem, or listening to a lecture and dozing off in boredom, most of us at one time has thought, “we are the only ones with the answer.” Acting like this is not only obnoxious to others around you, but it also stifles the possibilities of achieving or learning anything beyond your own comprehension.
The “know-it-all” behavior can act like cancer for a practice. It kills ingenuity, creativity, and any opportunities for true change. If we simply “know-it-all”, how can we expect to be able to cut our lengthening wait times for patients? If we know all the answers, how could we expect to boost our conversions or surgery volume? If we “already do that”, how could we expect to boost patient experience and improve employee morale?
“For me, referring to yourself as an ‘expert’ in any field assumes the position that you have reached your fullest potential. It implies you have attained a thrilling pinnacle in your career and that your thirst for knowledge in a particular subject has been quenched.” – Mandy Antoniacci
So as the CEO of Microsoft, Satya Nadella, puts it, instead of being a “Know-it-all”, be a “learn-it-all”. By adopting more of a student’s mindset, we position ourselves to reach higher for more personal and professional growth all while accepting that it’s “ok” to not always have the answers. Release yourself from have the expectation of perfection, and reengage your mind in the process of seeking knowledge for both success and failures. For these failures are much less about mistakes, than they are about learned opportunities within your own practice.
